It has a greenish hue, which is believed to be due to its chemical composition, mainly the presence of diatomic carbon
An “exotic” green cometC/2022 E3 (ZTF), which is yet to come close to Earth since Neanderthal times about 50,000 years ago, is fast approaching our planet and is expected February 1st or 2nd to reach its closest distance (perigee), about 42 million kilometers.
The comet was discovered by astronomers at the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in California in March 2022. It originates from the distant Oort Cloud in the outer reaches of our solar system and is estimated to be crossing an orbit around the Sun every approx 50,000 years.
The latest reported observed magnitude for Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is 5.9. Naked eye visibility from a dark site.
— David Blanchflower BSc (@DavidBflower) January 20, 2023
Comets, consisting mainly of ice, dust and gases, usually trace out large elliptical orbits around our star. As they approach the Sun, its heat turns the comet’s ice into gas and dust, creating its “come” surrounding its hard core, as well as its massive, spectacular “tail.”
Amazing. Here’s a great animated capture of Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF’s recent tail disconnection event (along with lots of #Starlink streaks), courtesy of @Komet123Jager – https://t.co/VWeFpDf4U2 pic.twitter.com/EP6lY9kg9s
— Dave Dickinson (@Astroguyz) January 19, 2023
The images so far of the C/2022 E3 reveal that it has a greenish huewhich is believed to be due to its chemical composition, mainly the presence diatomic carbonthe molecule of which emits green light when ultraviolet solar radiation falls on it.
Since mid-January the comet – steadily gaining in brightness since last year in November – has become easier to observe with telescopes or powerful binoculars, and has recently become bright enough to be visible even to the naked eye, at least from areas of clear dark sky. and without light pollution. Amateur astrophotographers managed in January to photograph the powerful solar “wind” tearing apart part of the comet’s tail.
Attached is a composition of the evolution of comet C/2022 E3.
I have labeled the days, distance from the Sun and distance from Earth. Courtesy Didac Mesa Romeu. pic.twitter.com/fzq4AAMLJe— Con Stoitsis (@vivstoitsis) January 5, 2023
C/2022 E3 is moving across the northern sky toward Polestar, the brightest star in Ursa Minor, next to which it will appear on January 26. By February 10, it will appear close to Mars, while by mid-February it is expected to have become quite faint as it moves away from Earth.
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
